Regional Head of Business Development – Middle East Region At Norwegian Refugee Council

Background

The Regional Head of Business Development (RHBD) is based in Amman and managed by the Regional Programme Director. They are responsible for supporting NRC to initiate business development ways of working within NRCs regional and country offices. The Regional Programme Department is mandated to support seven Country Offices in the region through capacity building and technical advice in the areas of programme development & quality, evidence and learning. Nexus programming in many countries in the Middle East together with a growing trend of donors towards commercial contracting, requires specific processes and capacities. NRC does have some experience working with commercial contractors but a number of areas need further investment and capacitating. These include human resource management, procurement, cost modelling and programme design.

Overview of the role

The Regional Head of Business Development (RHBD) will lead efforts to strengthen external opportunities and internal business development processes within MERO. This will involve working across programmes, finance, HR and logistics to ensure coherent processes that facilitate strong capacities in business development. Together with establishing and strengthening internal processes, the RHBD is expected to support the establishment of networks for upcoming opportunities and help position NRC as a prime of sub-contracting party. Moreover, the RHBD is expected to lead the MERO Business Development Unit, support its development and line-manage staff and consultants in unit as per relevant.

What you will bring

• Several years of documented relevant Business Development Manager/Adviser experience within the humanitarian field
• In-depth knowledge of institutional donors’ strategies, priorities, and compliance guidelines
• Experience and track record leading business development strategies, regional fundraising and partnerships
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts, experienced in Middle East region is preferred
• Understanding of, and commitment to working collaboratively with technical and operational colleagues within a matrix structure, including capacity building
• Experience delivering learning and development as part of quality improvement and capacity building
• Fluency in English both written and verbal, Arabic is an asset.

What you will do

• Lead on rolling out the Regional Business Development Strategy for the region including advising on internal adjustments required.
• Lead on delegated areas of strategic innovation and business development for the region, including identifying new funding opportunities and building partnerships.
• Lead on the identification of potential new business development opportunities in the region as it related to the Regional Innovation and Business Development Strategy.
• Responsible for providing support, advice and guidance to the Country Offices in the region on Business Development Strategic Planning.
• Responsible for capacity building, learning and development, as required, for relevant programme personnel in COs, including facilitation and delivery of business development trainings.
• May be required to participate in a small number of recruitment interviews for key relevant CO positions
• Work closely with Institutional Partnership Advisors in Oslo to identify and develop strategic stakeholder engagement and high-level relationships related to business development.
• Ensure regular coordination, liaison and work collaboratively with relevant Units at HO level: Corporate, Programme Development and Innovation team, etc.
• Ensure regular coordination, liaison and work collaboratively with relevant Units at MERO and CO level;
• Develop the Business Development Unit structure in line with the defined strategy and line-manage staff and consultants in unit to a satisfactory level for all stakeholders.

Specifically you will:

• Lead on the establishment of business development processes including internal ways of working to support working with management consulting approaches to donors and programming.
• Provide support and advice to country offices to develop their own expertise to design and manage private sector programmes.
• Network with commercial sector organisations to strategically preposition NRC for partnership opportunities.
• Own and drive the Regional Business Development Strategy which will identify areas of investment for the organisation to attract innovation programming, outcome based, multi-year funding opportunities and partnerships.
• Work closely with the Corporate Team in Oslo to actively seek to find innovative ways of working with donors, partners and our country offices.

What We Offer

NRC is an equal opportunities employer and aims to have staffing diversity in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, nationality and physical ability.

We offer an opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause and a chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply and join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility: At NRC we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take initiative.

We are also looking for people who share our values:

• To be dedicated in what we do;
• To be innovative with our solutions;
• To act as one unified and inclusive team;
• To be accountable to the donors that make our work possible; the people we exist to serve, and to each other… the members of our NRC family.

Additional Information:

Duty Station: Amman, Jordan

Duration of contract: 2 years fixed term, full-time, in accordance with local labour laws.

Grade 10 in NRC’s grade structure

Travel: Up to 40%

Reporting line: Regional Programme Director